Brake-action synchronizing device for a two-wheeled vehicle

Abstract

A brake-action synchronizing device for a two-wheeled vehicle includes a force imparting unit which is disposed in a housing and which includes a first block secured to and moved with a front brake cable, a stage extending transversely from the first block, and a second block which is disposed in the housing and which is secured to a rear brake cable. When the front brake cable is pulled by virtue of a front braking action, the first block is caused to move toward a ceiling wall of the housing and lift the second block so as to pull the rear brake cable, thereby delivering braking forces to both rear and front wheels of the vehicle.

1. A brake-action synchronizing device for a two-wheeled vehicle, the vehicle including front and rear brake levers, and front and rear brake cables each having a proximate end that is connected to a respective one of the front and rear brake levers, a distal end that is disposed to deliver a braking force when the respective one of the front and rear brake levers is operated to pull the proximate end, and a cable body that is interposed between the proximate and distal ends, said brake-action synchronizing device comprising:
 a housing defining an accommodation chamber which is adapted to receive the cable bodies of the front and rear brake cables so as to permit movement of the cable bodies along first and second routes, respectively, in a longitudinal direction, said accommodation chamber extending in the longitudinal direction to terminate at ceiling and bottom walls; 
 a force imparting unit including
 a first block which has an upper portion extending in the longitudinal direction to terminate at an upper surface and defining a height, a lower portion that is opposite to said upper portion in the longitudinal direction, and a first passage that extends through said upper and lower portions and along the first route for passage of the cable body of the front brake cable therethrough, 
 a first fastening member disposed to secure said first block to the cable body of the front brake cable such that, when the front brake lever is in a non-activated state, said lower portion is brought to rest on said bottom wall, and 
 a stage extending from said lower portion across the second route, and having an abutment surface which confronts said bottom wall, and a lifting surface which is opposite to said abutment surface in the longitudinal direction and which is lower than said upper surface by said height, said stage having a bore which extends along the second route and through said abutment and lifting surfaces, and which is configured to permit the cable body of the rear brake cable to move freely when the rear brake lever is operated; and 
 
 a second block which has a lifted surface confronting said lifting surface, and which is secured to move with the cable body of the rear brake cable along the second route such that, when the rear brake lever is in a non-activated state, said lifted surface is kept in contact with said lifting surface. 
 
     
     
       2. The brake-action synchronizing device according to  claim 1 , wherein said second block has a second passage extending therethrough along the second route, each of said first and second passages being configured to permit the cable body of a respective one of the front and rear brake cables to be engagingly led therethrough. 
     
     
       3. The brake-action synchronizing device according to  claim 2 , further comprising a second fastening member disposed to secure said second block to the cable body of the rear brake cable, each of said first and second blocks having a threaded hole which extends radially relative to a respective one of said first and second passages, each of said first and second fastening members being a screw bolt which is threadedly engaged with said threaded hole so as to tightly abut against the cable body of the respective one of the front and rear brake cables. 
     
     
       4. The brake-action synchronizing device according to  claim 3 , wherein said housing includes a surrounding wall which is disposed between said ceiling and bottom walls and which defines said accommodation chamber, said surrounding wall having two access openings which are configured to permit access to said screw bolts respectively. 
     
     
       5. The brake-action synchronizing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a biasing member disposed to effect a biasing force to counteract a pulling force applied to the proximate end of the front brake cable by said front brake lever when said upper surface of said first block is pulled to be close to said ceiling wall so that an abrupt delivery of a large braking force through the distal end of the front brake cable can be prevented. 
     
     
       6. The brake-action synchronizing device according to  claim 5 , wherein said biasing member is a coil spring which has an engaging end disposed on said upper surface, and a free end that is opposite to said engaging end and that confronts said ceiling wall so as to prevent said upper surface from engaging said ceiling wall when the front brake lever is activated to pull the cable body of the front brake cable. 
     
     
       7. The brake-action synchronizing device according to  claim 6 , wherein said coil spring is configured to be sleeved on the cable body of the front brake cable in said accommodation chamber. 
     
     
       8. The brake-action synchronizing device according to  claim 1 , wherein said abutment surface of said stage is integrally formed with and is flush with said lower portion of said first block. 
     
     
       9. The brake-action synchronizing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising two tubular protective members, each of which is disposed between said ceiling wall and a respective one of the front and rear brake levers and is adapted to be sleeved on the cable body of a respective one of the front and rear brake cables, and two positioning members, each of which is disposed to secure a respective one of said tubular protective members to the respective one of the front and rear brake levers.